(Akwa Ibom Map. Photo Credit; Punch News)
The Akwa Ibom State Police Command says the wife of Edet George, a resident of Ikot Akpan Afaha Village in Uyo Local Government Area currently under investigation for illegal firearm possession, has told investigators that he frequently used the weapon to intimidate members of his family and the wider community.
A statement issued by the command’s public relations officer, Timfon John, on Wednesday said operatives, acting on credible intelligence, searched the suspect’s residence following reports that he habitually threatened the community with the firearm.
The search led to the recovery of a single-barrel gun and eight live cartridges concealed within the home.
The command described the operation as another notable success in its efforts to curb illegal arms proliferation and boost public safety statewide, noting that the targeted raid was carried out on July 11, 2026, at around 7:00 a.m. after intelligence indicated that George routinely threatened community members with the weapon.
The police spokesperson said preliminary investigations are underway to determine where the weapon came from, whether it was legally acquired, and whether it had been used in any criminal activity.
She disclosed that during questioning, the suspect’s wife, whose name was withheld, confirmed that her husband regularly used the firearm to intimidate not just community members but also his own family, including herself and their children.
The recovered gun and ammunition have been taken into police custody, while investigations continue to establish the weapon’s origin, legality, and any potential link to criminal offences.
Meanwhile, the Commissioner of Police, Baba Azare, reaffirmed the command’s commitment to tackling illegal firearm proliferation and ensuring that those who unlawfully possess weapons, or use them to intimidate innocent citizens, are brought to justice.
He said the command remains determined to protect lives and property, maintain public order, and sustain ongoing intelligence-driven operations to make the state safer for everyone.